To provide a method for economically recovering germanium used as a catalyst for producing polyethylene terephthalate in a reutilizable purity by using a simple apparatus.
This method for recovering germanium used as a catalyst from a waste rejected when producing polyethylene terephthalate or a polyester consisting essentially thereof comprises initially inicinerating the waste, then distilling the resultant ash with hydrochloric acid, recovering a condensate containing germanium tetrachloride, separating the germanium tetrachloride from the recovered condensate, hydrolyzing the prepared germanium tetrachloride and affording germanium dioxide. In the method, the obtained germanium dioxide can be roasted to remove impurities. The condensate after separating the germanium tetrachloride is reovered by circulation thereof and the resultant hydrolyzate after separating the germanium dioxide can be electrodialyzed to recover the germanium dioxide and hydrochloric acid.
SAITO TAKAYUKI
UCHIDA TAKASHI
ICHIMURA TAKASHI
TAKAHASHI YUKIO
ASAI GERMANIUM KENKYUSHO KK